Definitions
Etymology
Pictograph of a bear. Based on the original meaning "bear". The meaning of this character has shifted over time to mean "strong" and "ability, power". Original form of 熊.
About
Originally, 能 was a pictograph of a bear, showing its large body, head, and paws. In its modern form, the character is composed of 月 (the flesh radical) and two 匕 components, which are stylized remnants of the bear's claws. Bears were admired for their great strength, so the character's meaning shifted from "bear" to "strong" and eventually to "ability, power". As this abstract meaning became permanent, a new character, 熊, was created by adding the fire radical 灬 to the original bear pictograph to represent the animal.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我能做这件事。
你能帮我吗？
他能说三种语言。
她不能参加明天的会议。
努力学习就能取得进步。
这种手机功能很强大。
他的组织能力得到了大家的认可。
如果天气好，我们就能去爬山。
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